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Changelab Solutions

EIN 26-3710746 · Oakland, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ChangeLab Solutions is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that uses the tools of law and policy to advance health equity. We partner with communities across the nation to improve health and opportunity by changing harmful laws, policies, and systems. Our interdisciplinary team works with community organization, governments, and local institutions to design and implement equitable and practical policy solutions to complex health challenges.

Income
$5.7 million
Spending
$10.1 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
9.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 61%
Employees
78
Volunteers
18
Highest pay
$257,773, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 78% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 63% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (6)
  1. $4.4 million spent. Good Governance: Laws and policies are powerful tools for making our communities healthier and more equitable. A good governance process is inclusive, transparent, and effective, and fosters a clear understanding of policy landscapes, local resources, and potential partnerships. Our resources explain the essentials of public health law and policy that can help create meaningful, lasting change in your community.
  2. $1.4 million spent. Health Care: Health care systems and hospitals have opportunities to get involved in community public health initiatives. Partnering with advocates and local agencies, providing healthier foods and beverages, and leveraging community benefits allocations from hospitals can help keep people healthy and out of emergency rooms. Our resources can help health care organizations and hospitals work towards community-based prevention of health problems.
  3. $653,124 spent. Healthy Neighborhoods: Evidence shows that where people live plays a key role in their health. Housing, workplaces, street design, and transportation all influence prominent health factors such as safety, physical activity, access to healthy food, community engagement, and affordable living. We provide planning tools that connect the dots between neighborhood resources and help communities achieve their policy goals.
  4. $342,330 spent. Children & Families: Creating healthy, safe, and resilience-promoting opportunities for children and families is vital to improve community health. We develop strategies and tools to inform policymakers and communities about policies and programs that support children and families -including supports for children's mental health and resources to help navigate and access supplemental security income. We also work to strengthen family-supportive systems and employment opportunities by focusing on access to paid sick leave and equitable enforcement of worker protections.
  5. $273,439 spent. Food & Beverages: A healthy diet is key to maintaining good health. Well-designed food systems positively shape the health, environmental, social, and economic outcomes of neighborhoods and communities. We work on a variety of policy strategies that advance health equity through each component of the food system and help ensure access to healthy, affordable foods and beverages.
  6. $93,646 spent. Tobacco Prevention: Limiting access to tobacco products is the first step in preventing tobacco-related diseases. Effective strategies include eliminating the sale of tobacco products to minors, regulating electronic cigarettes, increasing enforcement of existing laws, and reducing exposure to secondhand smoke. We offer a wide range of resources to help communities tailor and implement policy options to regulate tobacco. During 2024-2025, we engaged and provided capacity building and training to more than 22,000 individuals and over 1,000 organizations in more than 1,000 communities across all fifty states and the District of Columbia. We also developed 48 products to further support communities to advance health equity.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2009.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.